Molecular detection of zoonotic bartonellae (B. henselae, B. elizabethae and B. rochalimae) in fleas collected from dogs in Israel

Abstract

Fleas represent an acknowledged burden on dogs worldwide. The characterization of flea species infesting kennel dogs from two localities in Israel (Rehovot and Jerusalem) and their molecular screening for Bartonella species (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) was investigated. A total of 355 fleas were collected from 107 dogs. The fleas were morphologically classified and molecularly screened targeting the Bartonella 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Of the 107 dogs examined, 80 (74.8%) were infested with Ctenocephalides canis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), 68 (63.6%) with Ctenocephalides felis, 15 (14.0%) with Pulex irritans (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) and one (0.9%) with Xenopsylla cheopis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Fleas were grouped into 166 pools (one to nine fleas per pool) according to species and host. Thirteen of the 166 flea pools (7.8%) were found to be positive for Bartonella DNA. Detected ITS sequences were 99-100% similar to those of four Bartonella species: Bartonella henselae (six pools); Bartonella elizabethae (five pools); Bartonella rochalimae (one pool), and Bartonella bovis (one pool). The present study indicates the occurrence of a variety of flea species in dogs in Israel; these flea species are, in turn, carriers of several zoonotic Bartonella species. Physicians, veterinarians and public health workers should be aware of the presence of these pathogens in dog fleas in Israel and preventive measures should be implemented.

High Prevalence of Bartonella sp. in Dogs from Hamadan, Iran

“…Bacteremia was more prevalent in dogs less than 1 year old, as observed in our study, where eight of the 10 PCRpositive dogs were one to 2 years old, suggesting initial bacteremia at an early age when the dogs are fully receptive to infection. As identified in wild carnivores (jackals and red foxes) and fleas collected on domestic dogs in Israel, [16][17][18] and in Iraq, 9 infection with B. rochalimae was also identified in dogs in Iran. Three dogs were infected with Candidatus B. merieuxii, which has been shown to be endemic in dogs living in Southern Italy and Greece 19,20 and in Iraq and Tunisia, where it was the only Bartonella species detected in dogs.…”

Relationship between the Presence of Bartonella Species and Bacterial Loads in Cats and Cat Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) under Natural Conditions

“…strain Tel Aviv Rr, B. elizabethae, and B. tribocorum in the C. felis fleas studied supports the notion that these arthropods are in close contact with other mammal hosts and not restricted to one host species only, even though the mobility of the fleas between hosts has been estimated to be low (36). Previous experimental studies have proven that C. felis can acquire and maintain persistent infection with non-feline-associated bartonellae, including B. tribocorum (23,37), and evidence of C. felis (collected from dogs) carrying B. elizabethae DNA has been recently reported (38). Interestingly, the transmission of this rodent-associated Bartonella strain from fleas to cats and the potential establishment of infection in the cats seem to be limited in the population studied, as no cat was found to be infected with this strain.…”

Carrion's Disease: the Sound of Silence

“…Moreover, preliminary data have shown several new Bartonella species to have a close phylogenetic relationship with B. bacilliformis, such as in the case of the recently described "Candidatus Bartonella rondoniensis," which shares between 84 and 91% identity with B. bacilliformis (82). Although there are few studies on these species, B. rochalimae has been described to be present in fleas (86) and to be widely disseminated (87)(88)(89)(90). On the other hand, B. ancashensis has been described only in the area of Ancash, and no information about its vectors or reservoirs is currently known.…”

“…Several arthropod vectors, such as fleas, ticks, flies, and lice, have been described for Bartonella spp. (86)(87)(88)(89)(90)(103)(104)(105). The recent identification of B. quintana in bedbugs such as Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemypterus also makes these insects potential new vectors of Bartonella (106,107).…”