biostudies-literatureEneku WMakerere UniversityArmed Forces Health Surveillance BranchUS Department of Defense Threat Reduction Agency2473159https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11878166biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)<b>Background:</b> Fleas transmit a variety of zoonotic agents whose epidemiology and public health risk remains poorly understood in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda particularly outside plague-endemic areas. Common flea-borne zoonotic agents include <i>Rickettsia felis</i> and <i>Yersinia pestis.</i>. <b>Objectives:</b> The study aimed at detecting and characterising flea-borne pathogens in peridomestic environments in Uganda. <b>Methods:</b> We collected fleas from domestic animals, chickens, rodents, and homestead environments; pooled them by species, collection time, and host species. A total of 172 pools were analyzed for <i>Y. pestis Pla</i> gene. Further, 62 pools were tested for <i>Rickettsia</i> species <i>gltA, ompA</i>, and <i>htrA</i> genes by PCR and Sanger sequencing. <bInfection ecology & epidemiologyMolecular detection and characterization of <i>Rickettsia felis</i>, <i>R. asembonensis</i>, and <i>Yersinia pestis</i> from peri-domestic fleas in Uganda.PMC11878166HDTRA1-15-1-0043Atim GErima BByarugaba Karuhize DMworozi EWabwire-Mangen FDouglas CCleary Gillian NKoehler William Jvon Fricken Emery MTweyongyere RUkuli Aquino QKibuuka HEneku WTugume TByaruhanga Maranda AfalseMolecular detection and characterization of <i>Rickettsia felis</i>, <i>R. asembonensis</i>, and <i>Yersinia pestis</i> from peri-domestic fleas in Uganda.<b>Background:</b> Fleas transmit a variety of zoonotic agents whose epidemiology and public health risk remains poorly understood in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda particularly outside plague-endemic areas. Common flea-borne zoonotic agents include <i>Rickettsia felis</i> and <i>Yersinia pestis.</i>. <b>Objectives:</b> The study aimed at detecting and characterising flea-borne pathogens in peridomestic environments in Uganda. <b>Methods:</b> We collected fleas from domestic animals, chickens, rodents, and homestead environments; pooled them by species, collection time, and host species. A total of 172 pools were analyzed for <i>Y. pestis Pla</i> gene. Further, 62 pools were tested for <i>Rickettsia</i> species <i>gltA, ompA</i>, and <i>htrA</i> genes by PCR and Sanger sequencing. <b2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-06-01T21:11:07.004Z2025-04-04T02:47:53.787ZS-EPMC118781664004147610.1080/20008686.2025.2473159