First Report for the Seasonal and Annual Prevalence of Flea-BorneBartonellafrom Rodents and Soricomorphs in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Rodents and soricomorphs are animal hosts of fleas and associated zoonotic microbial pathogens. A total of 4,889 small mammals were collected from Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces, Republic of Korea, from 2008 through 2010, including: Apodemus agrarius (4,122, 84.3%), followed by Crocidura lasiura (282, 5.8%), Microtus fortis (257, 5.3%), Myodes regulus (77, 1.6%), Micromys minutus (71, 1.5%), Mus musculus (63, 1.3%), and 4 other species (17, 0.3%). A total of 1,099 fleas belonging to 10 species and 7 genera were collected. Ctenophthalmus congeneroides (724, 65.9%) was the most commonly collected flea, followed by Stenoponia sidimi (301, 27.4%), Neopsylla bidentatiformis (29, 2.6%), and Rhadinopsylla insolita (25, 2.3%). The remaining species accounted for only 1.8% (20, range 1-6) of all fleas collected. The 2 dominant flea species, C. congeneroides and S. sidimi, showed an inverse seasonal pattern, with higher populations of C. congeneroides from January-September, whereas S. sidimi was more frequently collected during October-December. The overall flea infestation rates (FIR) and flea indices (FI) were 14.1% and 0.22, respectively, and were highest during April-June (19.7% and 0.30, respectively). A total of 735 of the 1,099 fleas were assayed for the detection of Bartonella spp. by PCR using Bartonella-specific primers, of which 515 were positive for Bartonella, with an overall maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of 700.7/1,000. The highest MLE values were observed during April-June (899.2) and July-September (936.2) trapping periods and, although lower, were similar for January-March (566.7) and October-December (574.1). C. congeneroides demonstrated high MLEs for all seasons (range 752.5-934.8), while S. sidimi was positive for Bartonella only during January-March (MLE=342.1) and October-December (MLE=497.2) collection periods. Continued long-term surveillance of small mammals and associated ectoparasites is needed to improve our understanding of the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in fleas and the role of fleas in the zoonotic maintenance and transmission of Bartonella to humans.

BartonellaInfection in Rodents and Their Flea Ectoparasites: An Overview

“…Bartonellae have been shown to be dominant members of the bacterial communities of several rodent associated fleas ( Jones et al 2008, Hawlena et al 2013. Moreover, many rodent-associated fleas have been shown to be naturally infected with Bartonella closely related to zoonotic species (Stevenson et al 2003, Marie et al 2006, Jones et al 2008, Morick et al 2010, Billeter et al 2011, Kabeya et al 2011, Billeter et al 2013, Kim et al 2013. The frequent feeding of fleas and their ability to move from one host to another might explain the high prevalence and diversity of Bartonella spp.…”

“…The flea abundance (number of fleas per host) might directly influence the chances of bartonellae infection establishment in the host. It is noteworthy that the abundance of fleas varies across rodent species, flea species habitats, and seasons (Krasnov et al 1997, Krasnov et al 2005, Kim et al 2013). …”

Ticks Collected from Wild and Domestic Animals and Natural Habitats in the Republic of Korea

“…[1,2]. Recently, a patient was diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a virus first reported in China in 2009 and Japan in 2011 and transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis [3,4,5,6].…”

“…As a result of a national tree planting policy instituted in the 1960s, young to mature planted groves and volunteer trees now cover mountains and hillsides. These forests provide harborage for wild and feral mammals (i.e., water deer, Hydropotes inermis ; Siberian roe deer, Capreolus pygargus ; wild boar, Sus crofa ; raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides ; leopard cat, Prionalurus bengalensis ; Eurasian badger, Meles leucurus ; weasel, Mustela sibirica ; rodent; soricomorph; feral cat, Felis catus ; and feral dog, Canis lupus ) and forest dwelling birds like ring-necked pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) that are host to a number of ectoparasites and pathogens they harbor [2]. Agriculture, construction, military operations and training, and increased recreational activities corresponding to peak activity of ticks increase exposure to zoonotic pathogens.…”

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia theileri in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Korea

“…Over the last decade, the investigation of VBPs in Korea has mainly focused on domestic animals, rodents, and vectors. 9,10,[14][15][16]42,43 However, recent studies examining wild animals have indicated that VBPs are prevalent in wild/ domestic animals and vectors, and that the occurrence of human vector-borne diseases in Korea may, therefore, be more likely. 12,22 Consistent with these findings, the first isolation of B. henselae and A. phagocytophilum from humans has been reported, and the reemergence of Lyme disease in Korea represents a potential public health concern.…”