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    The Israeli Ministry of Health Annual Report. Available at http://www.health.gov.il./pages/default.asp?maincat=9&catId=40&PageId=2648.

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POLYGENIC DETECTION OF RICKETTSIA FELIS IN CAT FLEAS (CTENOCEPHALIDES FELIS) FROM ISRAEL

OMRI BAUERSchool of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; “Let the Animals Live” Association, Moshav Talmei-Menashe, Israel; Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom

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GAD BANETHSchool of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; “Let the Animals Live” Association, Moshav Talmei-Menashe, Israel; Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom

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TAMAR ESHKOLSchool of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; “Let the Animals Live” Association, Moshav Talmei-Menashe, Israel; Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom

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SUSAN E. SHAWSchool of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; “Let the Animals Live” Association, Moshav Talmei-Menashe, Israel; Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom

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SHIMON HARRUSSchool of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; “Let the Animals Live” Association, Moshav Talmei-Menashe, Israel; Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset, United Kingdom

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The presence of Rickettsia felis, an emerging bacterial pathogen, was investigated in 79 cat flea (Cteno-cephalides felis) pools from Israel (5 to 20 fleas each) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of 5 different genes. Amplified targets included both metabolic (gltA and fusA) and surface antigen (ompA, ompB, and the 17-kDa antigen) genes. R. felis DNA was detected in 7.6% of the flea pools. Two genotypes similar in their housekeeping gene sequences but markedly different in their surface antigenic genetic milieus were characterized. This is the first detection of this flea-transmitted rickettsia within its vector in Israel and the Middle East. Although no clinical case has been reported in human beings in Israel to date, these findings suggest that this infection is prevalent in Israel.

Author Notes

Reprint requests: Dr. Shimon Harrus, School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel, Telephone: 972-8-9489633, Fax: 972-8-9489956, E-mail: harrus@agri.huji.ac.il.
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