The molecular identity of fleas (Siphonaptera) carrying Rickettsia felis, Bartonella clarridgeiae and Bartonella rochalimae from dogs and cats in Northern Laos.

ABSTRACT: Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are the most commonly recognised ectoparasites of domestic pets globally and are frequently implicated in the transmission of a variety of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphological and molecular identity of fleas parasitising cats and dogs in Northern Laos and screen them for a range of bacterial pathogens. Fleas (n = 120) were collected from dogs and cats and morphologically identified as Ctenocephalides felis (115/120), Ctenocephalides orientis (4/120) and Pulex irritans (1/120). Molecular barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) was used to confirmed species identity of 21 selected fleas. The cat flea (C. felis) was the most dominant

SUBMITTER: Calvani NED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7364039 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature