Spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks and fleas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Little is known about the prevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in ticks and fleas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2008, 12 Amblyomma compressum ticks were collected from 3 pangolins (Manis gigantea). Two Haemaphysalis punctaleachi ticks were collected from 2 African civets (Civettictis civetta congica), and one was collected from an antelope (Onotragus leche). A total of 111 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, 23 Ctenocephalides canis fleas, 39 C. felis fleas, and 5 Trichodectes canis lice were sampled from 19 dogs. One C. canis flea was collected from a human. Six of the 12 A. compressum ticks were positive for rickettsial DNA, as determined by genus-specific qPCR. The ompA gene sequences amplified from positive samples showed 100% homology with Rickettsia africae (GenBank accession number CP001612). The detection of Ri. africae in A. compressum ticks, which are highly specialized parasites of pangolins, is consistent with our previous data showing the presence of Ri. africae in A. compressum ticks from Liberia. No other ticks contained rickettsial DNA. A total of 9 C. canis fleas (39%, 9/23) and 37 C. felis fleas (95%, 37/39) that was collected from dogs and one C. canis flea collected from a human harbored Ri. felis.     

Survey of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

This study evaluates the presence of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These ectoparasites were collected on mammal species Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Tapirus terrestris, Dicotyles tajacu, Didelphis aurita, Cuniculus paca, Cerdocyon thous, and Coendou prehensilis, and on the terrestrial bird Dromaius novaehollandiae. Ticks and fleas were identified morphologically using specific taxonomic keys. A total of 396 ticks and 54 fleas were tested via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., microorganisms of the order Piroplasmida and Anaplasmataceae family. This total is distributed among nine tick species of the genus Amblyomma and one flea species. Rickettsia bellii was detected in Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma pacae; Rickettsia sp. strain AL was found in Amblyomma longirostre; Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest was found in Amblyomma ovale; and “Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis” and Rickettsia felis were detected in Ctenocephalides felis felis. Wolbachia sp. was detected in C. f. felis, and Borrelia sp. was detected in Amblyomma calcaratum (here named Borrelia sp. strain Acalc110). All tested samples were negative for Ehrlichia spp. and microorganisms of the Piroplasmida order. This study detected a new bacterial strain, Borrelia sp. strain Acalc 110 (which is genetically close to B. miyamotoi and B. venezuelensis) and the Rickettsia sp. strain 19P, which is 100% similar to “Ca. R. senegalensis”, a bacterium recently discovered and now being reported for the first time in Brazil.     

Ticks,fleas and rodent-hosts analyzed for the presence of Borrelia miyamotoi in Slovakia: the first record of Borrelia miyamotoi in a Haemaphysalis inermis tick

In Slovakia, little knowledge is available on the occurrence, hosts and vectors of Borrelia miyamotoi of the relapsing fever group. In the current study, 2160 questing and rodent-attached ticks of six species (Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes trianguliceps, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Haemaphysalis inermis), 279 fleas belonging to 9 species (Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Ctenophthalmus solutus, Ctenophthalmus assimilis, Megabothris turbidus, Amalareus penicilliger, Hystrichopsylla orientalis, Ctenophthalmus uncinatus, Doratopsylla dasycnema and Nosopsyllus fasciatus) and skin biopsies from 245 small mammals belonging to eight species (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus uralensis, Myodes glareolus, Crocidura leucodon, Micromys minutus, Microtus arvalis, Microtus subterraneus) were screened for the presence of B. miyamotoi DNA. The overall prevalence of B. miyamotoi found in questing and rodent-attached ticks was 1.8% (23 positive/1260 examined) and 3.4% (31 positive/900 examined), respectively. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in questing I. ricinus, rodent-attached I. ricinus and H. inermis ticks, and in one male of the common vole (M. arvalis) in different habitats (mainly rural) in eastern Slovakia. However, B. miyamotoi was not found in any of the tested fleas. Our findings indicate that rural habitats with different species of tick vectors and hosts are appropriate for the occurrence of B. miyamotoi.     

盈江县鼠疫主要宿主黄胸鼠体表蚤类的研究

目的掌握盈江县鼠疫主要宿主黄胸鼠体表蚤类种群分布及季节消长规律。方法整理和分析鼠疫监测资料和疫情资料。结果该地黄胸鼠体表寄生蚤主要为印鼠客蚤和缓慢细蚤，年均染蚤率、总蚤指数和印鼠客蚤指数分别为15．66％、0．91、0．65，总体水平呈下降趋势；鼠体月均染蚤率与总蚤指数季节消长趋势基本一致，夏季明显高于其他季节，分别为26．12％和1．47。印鼠客蚤指数最高为6月份（1．37），该蚤构成比呈单峰，于5—10月维持在相当高的水平。结论根据寄生蚤类种群分布和季节消长规律，加强夏季的灭蚤工作，降低蚤指数，减少鼠疫暴发。     

达乌尔黄鼠及其寄生蚤的杀灭研究

目的为了更好地控制鼠疫流行,筛选出安全、高效、使用方便的灭蚤药物。方法堵洞查盗法、探洞干蚤法。结果磷化铝灭蚤效果最好,可以达到鼠蚤并灭的目的。而灭鼠烟雾剂有一定的灭蚤效果。0.005%溴敌隆毒饵不能够杀灭鼠类的寄生蚤。结论磷化铝作为熏蒸杀虫剂,一旦发生动物间鼠疫,在鼠疫疫区大面积灭鼠灭蚤时推广使用。     

陕西省蚤的种类及其自然地理分布

目的了解陕西省蚤的种类与自然地理分布。方法用常规方法从动物体表和地面上采集蚤。结果陕西省6个自然地理区划中有44种蚤。结论人蚤分布于6个自然地理区划中,其他蚤的分布具有一定的地理特征。     

Rickettsia felis in Fleas, Germany

Among 310 fleas collected from dogs and cats in Germany, Rickettsia felis was detected in all specimens (34) of Archaeopsylla erinacei (hedgehog flea) and in 9% (24/226) of Ctenocephalides felis felis (cat flea). R. helvetica was detected in 1 Ceratophyllus gallinae (hen flea).     

Tick and flea infestations in captive Tapirus terrestris and Tapirus kabomani (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) in the Brazilian Amazon

The present study aimed to identify tick and flea species infesting captive tapirs (Tapirus terrestris and Tapirus kabomani) in the Brazilian Amazon. Ectoparasites were collected from tapirs chemically restrained in Zoo-botanical Parks, breeding facilities, conservationists and, environmental compensation areas in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, and Pará. After collection, the tick and flea specimens were placed in plastic pots containing isopropanol and identified according to dichotomous keys. Ectoparasite infestations were observed in 55% (18/33) tapirs, of which 61% (11/18) were single infestations with ticks or fleas, and 39% (7/18) were mixed infestations with different species of ticks and/or fleas. In total, 227 ticks (15 larvae, 107 nymphs, 38 females and 67 males) and 14 fleas (eight females and six males) were collected, identifying four tick species (Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto , Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, and Amblyomma pacae) and three flea species and/or subspecies (Ctenocephalides felis felis, Rhopalopsyllus australis australis, and Tunga penetrans). In conclusion, infestations with Ixodidae ticks and Rhopalopsyllidae, Pulicidae and Tungidae fleas were found in captive tapirs in the Brazilian Amazon, and A. cajennense s.s. was the most frequent species. Additionally, the present study reports new associations between A. pacae and R. a. australis with T. terrestris and between A. cajennense s.s. with T. kabomani.     

吉林省鼠疫自然疫源地蚤类群落结构的研究

目的研究鼠疫疫源地蚤类群落结构、数量变化特点以及在不同宿主、不同地理环境中的分布。方法对鼠体、洞干、巢穴蚤乙醚麻醉后,分类鉴定。结果吉林省鼠疫自然疫源地存在蚤类6科21属43种。此次疫源地调查,在不同生境、不同地点、不同宿主获蚤类4科9属14种。优势种仍为方形黄鼠蚤松江亚种;常见种为二齿新蚤。结论掌握了各景观区的蚤种寄生宿主的形式以及季节消长、空间分布。     

Rickettsia felis in fleas, Western Australia

This study is the first confirmation of Rickettsia felis in Australia. The organism was identified from 4 species of fleas obtained from dogs and cats in Western Australia, by using polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA sequencing of the citrate synthase and outer membrane protein A genes.     

Pasteurella pestis detection in Fleas by fluorescent antibody staining

In an effort to develop a method for the rapid field identification of plague-infected fleas, the authors have studied the feasibility of direct fluorescent antibody staining of the midgut contents of fleas fed on mice infected with Pasteurella pestis. Fluorescent antibodies prepared from antisera derived from rabbits inoculated with the water-soluble P. pestis fraction 1b antigen, the somatic antigen of heat-killed P. pestis (Bryans strain), and live avirulent (strain A1122) or virulent (Yreka strain) plague vaccines were used used in this study.     

蚤类遗传多样性的研究进展

蚤类是重要的医学昆虫,也是我国法定的甲类传染病鼠疫的重要传播媒介,全世界已发现的蚤类共有2 500余种,具有丰富的遗传多样性。蚤类遗传多样性的研究不仅可以揭示其遗传变异及系统演化,厘清形态学分类上存在的问题,还能为虫媒传染性疾病的控制和防治提供重要科学依据。因此,本文就分子生物学技术(RAPD、SSR、SNP、GWAS、rDNA和mtDNA)在蚤类遗传多样性研究中的应用进行概述。     

河北省草原鼢鼠寄生蚤及流行病学意义的研究

目的调查了解河北省草原鼢鼠寄生蚤种类、组成及其染疫情况,及时掌握其在鼠间鼠疫流行时的地位和参与程度,为更好地控制鼠间鼠疫提供科学依据。方法以挖掘法捕获草原鼢鼠,采集其体外寄生蚤进行分类,分离鼠疫菌。结果共发现蚤类3科7属9种;细菌学检验草原鼢鼠111只,蚤细菌培养68组715匹,未分离到鼠疫菌;血清学检验血清88份,未发现鼠疫菌特异抗体。结论凶双蚤为草原鼢鼠的主要寄生蚤,同时携带多种自然染疫的蚤种,有可能参与鼠疫流行。     

黑龙江省中俄边境地区鼠体蚤类的生态研究

目的调查研究黑龙江省中俄边境地区蚤的生态学。方法在阔叶林、灌丛、耕地和湿草地生境中采用笼日法捕鼠,收集鼠体外寄生蚤。结果在黑龙江省中俄边境地区3市县捕鼠1 453只,采获鼠体外寄生蚤2 456只,计4科12属21种,其中东宁分布16种,萝北和黑河分布均为15种。优势种群为二齿新蚤（26.6%）,栉头细蚤（20.1%）和同源栉眼蚤指名亚种（18.9%）。不同生境、月份和鼠种的主要蚤种类组成有所不同。黑线姬鼠和大林姬鼠体外寄生蚤在4-9月均有活动;这2种鼠体外寄生蚤均在5月下半月和9月上半月出现2次高峰。大仓鼠的染蚤率（73.8%）及指数（5.4只）最高。结论鼠体蚤类的生态研究为黑龙江省中俄边境地区蚤的生态、蚤媒病和防治研究提供了参考依据。     

灭蚤香波室内药效试验方法及评价标准的探讨

目的　为灭蚤香波洗剂的生物药效测试提供一种方法和评价标准。方法　采用浸渍法和药浴法。结果　灭蚤香波洗剂对猫栉首蚤均具有良好的杀灭效果。结论　浸渍法和药浴法可作为灭蚤香波洗剂室内药效试验方法及评价标准。     

Rickettsia felis in Ctenocephalides spp. fleas, Brazil

In June 2000, suspected cases of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) occurred in Coronel Fabriciano Municipality, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Pooled fleas collected near two fatal cases contained rickettsial DNA. The nucleotide sequence alignment of the 391-bp segment of the 17-kDa protein gene showed that the products were identical to each other and to the R. felis 17-kDa gene, confirming circulation of R. felis in Brazil.     

内蒙古鼠疫自然疫源地主要宿主及体表寄生蚤类名录

通过对内蒙古现有的蚤标本及文献资料整理分析,对4个类型的鼠疫自然疫源地主要宿主及其寄生蚤类进行研究。结果显示,各疫源地的主要宿主体表寄生着多种寄生蚤,但迄今仅发现部分蚤种具有鼠疫流行病学意义。呼伦贝尔高原蒙古旱獭鼠疫自然疫源地于1923年仅自旱獭体中检出鼠疫菌,至今并未从寄生蚤中检出鼠疫菌。而在其他疫源地的主要宿主体表的多种寄生蚤中检出了鼠疫菌。     

Identification of a natural cycle involvingRickettsia typhi infection ofMonopsyllus sciurorum sciurorum fleas from the nests of the fat dormouse (Glis glis)

In a mountainous area in the Dinaric Beech-Fir Forest of southern Slovenia, summer nests of the European fat dormouse (Glis glis) were collected. From these dormouse nests, 180Monopsyllus sciurorum sciurorum fleas were examined by polymerase chain reaction with primers for theRickettsia citrate synthase gene. Samples from one nest yielded the expected 381 base pair DNA product. The origin of the DNA product was identified asRickettsia typhi byAluI restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Inoculation of the triturated positive fleas into Vero cell culture resulted in the cultivation of a rickettsia which reacted with polyclonal and species-specific monoclonal antibodies forR. typhi. The widespread distribution of this sylvatic flea species in nearly all of Europe as well as in the Middle East and its presence on other mammalian and avian hosts suggests thatR. typhi might exist in unrecognised enzootic cycles. Further investigations are needed to determine the extent of these cycles in Europe and the potential occurrence of human infections.     

长春龙嘉国际机场口岸蚤、螨本底监测分析

目的 掌握长春龙嘉国际机场口岸蚤、螨本底构成情况,为口岸防控媒传疾病提供科学依据.方法 在2010年7月至2011年6月期间,采用鼠笼法捕获活鼠,用集蚤法、鼠体螨指数法对鼠体表面的蚤、螨进行分析,并进行分类鉴定.结果 共捕获鼠62只,鼠体染蚤率为20.97％.蚤5种30只,其中同源栉眼蚤指名亚种为优势种,构成比为50.0％.共捕获螨70只,鼠体带螨率为29.03％,其中耶厉螨为优势种,构成比为57.1％.结论 应加强媒介控制的力度,有效防止蚤、螨等医学媒介生物在口岸地区引起疾病的传播.