First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia
Abstract Background Bartonellosis is an emerging vector-borne disease caused by different intracellular bacteria of the genus Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) that is transmitted primarily by blood-sucking arthropods such as sandflies, ticks and fleas. In Tunisia, there are no data available...
Main Authors: | , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
BMC
2017-09-01
|
Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-017-2372-5 |
id |
doaj-3d1074b5c4b54e63b0d799e3974d10ee |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-3d1074b5c4b54e63b0d799e3974d10ee2020-11-24T21:11:26ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052017-09-011011910.1186/s13071-017-2372-5First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in TunisiaSaba Zouari0Fatma Khrouf1Youmna M’ghirbi2Ali Bouattour3Université de Tunis El Manar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et de Microbiologie Vétérinaire LR11IPT03, Service d’Entomologie MédicaleUniversité de Tunis El Manar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et de Microbiologie Vétérinaire LR11IPT03, Service d’Entomologie MédicaleUniversité de Tunis El Manar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et de Microbiologie Vétérinaire LR11IPT03, Service d’Entomologie MédicaleUniversité de Tunis El Manar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire d’Epidémiologie et de Microbiologie Vétérinaire LR11IPT03, Service d’Entomologie MédicaleAbstract Background Bartonellosis is an emerging vector-borne disease caused by different intracellular bacteria of the genus Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) that is transmitted primarily by blood-sucking arthropods such as sandflies, ticks and fleas. In Tunisia, there are no data available identifying the vectors of Bartonella spp. In our research, we used molecular methods to detect and characterize Bartonella species circulating in fleas collected from domestic animals in several of the country’s bioclimatic areas. Results A total of 2178 fleas were collected from 5 cats, 27 dogs, 34 sheep, and 41 goats at 22 sites located in Tunisia’s five bioclimatic zones. The fleas were identified as: 1803 Ctenocephalides felis (83%) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), 266 C. canis (12%) and 109 Pulex irritans (5%) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Using conventional PCR, we screened the fleas for the presence of Bartonella spp., targeting the citrate synthase gene (gltA). Bartonella DNA was detected in 14% (121/866) of the tested flea pools [estimated infection rate (EIR) per 2 specimens: 0.072, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.060–0.086]. The Bartonella infection rate per pool was broken down as follows: 55% (65/118; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.329, 95% CI: 0.262–0.402) in C. canis; 23.5% (8/34; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.125, 95% CI: 0.055–0.233) in P. irritans and 6.7% (48/714; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.032, 95% CI: 0.025–0.045) in C. felis. Infection rates, which varied significantly by bioclimatic zone (P < 0.0001), were highest in the humid areas. By sequencing, targeting the gltA gene and the 16S–23S rRNA Intergenic Spacer Regions (ITS), we identified three Bartonella zoonotic species: B. elizabethae, B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, as well as uncharacterized Bartonella genotypes. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that fleas in Tunisia have been shown to carry zoonotic species of Bartonella. The dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis, should be considered the main potential vector of Bartonella. Our study not only provides new information about this vector, but also offers a public health update: medical practitioners and farmers in Tunisia should be apprised of the presence of Bartonella in fleas and implement preventive measures.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-017-2372-5Bartonella elizabethaeB. henselaeB. clarridgeiaeCtenocephalides felisC. canisPulex irritans |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Saba Zouari Fatma Khrouf Youmna M’ghirbi Ali Bouattour |
spellingShingle |
Saba Zouari Fatma Khrouf Youmna M’ghirbi Ali Bouattour First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia Parasites & Vectors Bartonella elizabethae B. henselae B. clarridgeiae Ctenocephalides felis C. canis Pulex irritans |
author_facet |
Saba Zouari Fatma Khrouf Youmna M’ghirbi Ali Bouattour |
author_sort |
Saba Zouari |
title |
First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia |
title_short |
First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia |
title_full |
First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia |
title_fullStr |
First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia |
title_full_unstemmed |
First molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in Tunisia |
title_sort |
first molecular detection and characterization of zoonotic bartonella species in fleas infesting domestic animals in tunisia |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Parasites & Vectors |
issn |
1756-3305 |
publishDate |
2017-09-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Bartonellosis is an emerging vector-borne disease caused by different intracellular bacteria of the genus Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) that is transmitted primarily by blood-sucking arthropods such as sandflies, ticks and fleas. In Tunisia, there are no data available identifying the vectors of Bartonella spp. In our research, we used molecular methods to detect and characterize Bartonella species circulating in fleas collected from domestic animals in several of the country’s bioclimatic areas. Results A total of 2178 fleas were collected from 5 cats, 27 dogs, 34 sheep, and 41 goats at 22 sites located in Tunisia’s five bioclimatic zones. The fleas were identified as: 1803 Ctenocephalides felis (83%) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), 266 C. canis (12%) and 109 Pulex irritans (5%) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Using conventional PCR, we screened the fleas for the presence of Bartonella spp., targeting the citrate synthase gene (gltA). Bartonella DNA was detected in 14% (121/866) of the tested flea pools [estimated infection rate (EIR) per 2 specimens: 0.072, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.060–0.086]. The Bartonella infection rate per pool was broken down as follows: 55% (65/118; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.329, 95% CI: 0.262–0.402) in C. canis; 23.5% (8/34; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.125, 95% CI: 0.055–0.233) in P. irritans and 6.7% (48/714; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.032, 95% CI: 0.025–0.045) in C. felis. Infection rates, which varied significantly by bioclimatic zone (P < 0.0001), were highest in the humid areas. By sequencing, targeting the gltA gene and the 16S–23S rRNA Intergenic Spacer Regions (ITS), we identified three Bartonella zoonotic species: B. elizabethae, B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, as well as uncharacterized Bartonella genotypes. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that fleas in Tunisia have been shown to carry zoonotic species of Bartonella. The dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis, should be considered the main potential vector of Bartonella. Our study not only provides new information about this vector, but also offers a public health update: medical practitioners and farmers in Tunisia should be apprised of the presence of Bartonella in fleas and implement preventive measures. |
topic |
Bartonella elizabethae B. henselae B. clarridgeiae Ctenocephalides felis C. canis Pulex irritans |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13071-017-2372-5 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT sabazouari firstmoleculardetectionandcharacterizationofzoonoticbartonellaspeciesinfleasinfestingdomesticanimalsintunisia AT fatmakhrouf firstmoleculardetectionandcharacterizationofzoonoticbartonellaspeciesinfleasinfestingdomesticanimalsintunisia AT youmnamghirbi firstmoleculardetectionandcharacterizationofzoonoticbartonellaspeciesinfleasinfestingdomesticanimalsintunisia AT alibouattour firstmoleculardetectionandcharacterizationofzoonoticbartonellaspeciesinfleasinfestingdomesticanimalsintunisia |
_version_ |
1716753355490983936 |